Episcopal Church Woman (ECW) will meet today: June 10th for ourmonthly prayer meeting and June 17th for the business meeting, both following the 10 am: service.

Let’s end the “Stop & Frisk” policy with a silent march against racial profiling, Father’s Day Sunday, June 17th 2012 1: pm, we will meet on 110th street east of 5th Avenue. Let’s stand together to show that New Yorkers refuse to let our children be victimized, or go to http://www.silentmarchnyc.org.

Worship Meeting June 20, at 7:00 pm, as summer begins we want to take this time to get your feedback and ideas about worship at St. Mary’s. Join us for this time of discussion, brainstorming and of course, worship! Please see Janet Dorman or Christine Lee for more information.

Summer Camp at St. Mary’s ChurchbeginsJuly 9th 2012 applications can be picked up at the Church office see Ms. Gwen, or call (212) 864-4013 for more information

Summer coffee hour sign up: Fellowship after service is such an important part of our Sunday worship. Would you consider signing up to provide baked goods, fruit or some other treat to share on one Sunday this summer? Sign-ups are in the back of the church.

Pledge statements are now available on the back table. Please make sure to pick yours up!

Time to collect your recipes for the St. Mary’s Cookbook! Fill out a recipe card and turn it in to Lisa Slocum by June 20.

Ecclesia July 1st at 2 pm in Marcus Garvey Park: St. Mary’s is the lead congregation on the first and fifth Sunday each month. We always need some volunteers to help prepare the “Second Meal” following the service.

Cars needed for Saturday Outreach: We are in need of people willing to lend their cars for 2 hours to help transport food and volunteers to our neighbors in need around the city. If you are not available to drive, we have an experienced and trusted driver available! Please contact Christine at the church office or cleestmarys@gmail.com if you can help.

Reflections on Today’s Scripture Lessons by Arthur Cash:

First Reading: Samuel 8: 4 – 20, 11: 14 – 15

Our Old Testament readings for today and the next two months will be bits and pieces of the fascinating story of the first two King of Israel, Saul and David. I would suggest you do not settle for what amounts to an outline of the best story in the bible (except, of course, that of the crucifixion and resurrection). Read it yourself in First and Second Samuel and two chapters of First Kings.

If, however, we grant that our bishops had to choose between a curtailed story or none at all, we can also grant that today’s reading was a good choice. To get the import of the story, we have to know that initially God didn’t want his chosen people to have a king.

Second Reading: Second Corinthians 4: 13 – 5: 1

The opening sentence in this passage refers to Psalm 116, on keeping faith in the midst of troubles and pain. Although I do not admire everything about the older Catholic Church that was flourishing when I was a young man, I do admire the way they taught people how to receive pain. “Give it up,” my mother-in-law would say, meaning give the pain to God, recognize that pain unites one with the God who suffered on the cross. This is true, says Paul, even of the chronic pains of aging, which serve to renew our inner natures and set us on the road toward a heavenly home.

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Tripod site information has errors

There is a site on tripod.com that contains erroneous information about St. Mary's. As many a celebrity has discovered, we are happy for the publicity, but wish the author would get his facts straight! - Staff of St. Mary's